Bill Ofshlag sits with his bullmastiff Jagger in the staging area during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Pier 92/94 in New York City on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. For related coverage go to www.westminsterkennelclub.org. less

Bill Ofshlag sits with his bullmastiff Jagger in the staging area during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Pier 92/94 in New York City on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. For related coverage go to ... more

Handler JoAnn Freise White, left, and groomer Maria Agrinsonis readies Stormy, a giant schnauzer, for competition during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Pier 92/94 in New York City on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. For related coverage go to www.westminsterkennelclub.org. less

Handler JoAnn Freise White, left, and groomer Maria Agrinsonis readies Stormy, a giant schnauzer, for competition during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Pier 92/94 in New York City on Tuesday, ... more

Breeder and co-owner Carrie DeJan, of New Fairfield, shows Mac, her pembroke Welsh corgis, to spectators in the benching area during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Pier 92/94 in New York City on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. For related coverage go to www.westminsterkennelclub.org. less

Breeder and co-owner Carrie DeJan, of New Fairfield, shows Mac, her pembroke Welsh corgis, to spectators in the benching area during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Pier 92/94 in New York City on ... more

NEW YORK -- Mac might seem like a pretty standard dog name, but at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, names are usually a little more complicated than that.

Mac, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi from Danbury who competed at the big event on Monday, is referred to in the dog show world as Act Two Walk This Way. Show dogs are required to have what is a called a registered name, which includes the kennel where the pooch was bred, along with a call name, which is what their owners usually shout when giving out commands.

Because registered names must be unique, breeders try to have fun with them. Litters are usually themed, with names often drawn from pop culture.

Carrie DeJan, the breeder who co-owns Mac, explained that his show name reflects her love of comedian and director Mel Brooks. In fact, all of Mac's littermates share the theme, including a sister named Sweet Mystery of Life (her call name is Madeline, after actress Madeline Kahn, who starred in Brooks's "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein").

Call names can also have meaning. DeJan said that Mac, who was born the day before Wimbledon three years ago, is named for tennis player John McEnroe. Mac was the second puppy born, and was vocal because his mother's milk hadn't come in yet.

"He was hungry," DeJan said. "It sounded like he was saying, `You cannot be serious!'"

Annie, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen from Darien, is also known as GCH CJ's Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile. Annie's owner, Lynn Florian, said breeder Jeanne Hurty, also from Darien, went with a smile theme for the litter, and the call names were also related. Annie's registered name is the title of a song in the musical "Annie," while her brother, Bennett, is registered as The Shadow of Your Smile, a Tony Bennett song.

"It fits her perfectly," said Florian of the moniker she and Hurty chose for Annie.

Like Little Orphan Annie, Annie the dog is "just cute," Florian said. "People are sort of attracted to her."

On Monday, Monroe resident Janice Kenney was the handler for Seacrest Double Date With Saddlehill, or, more simply, Rachelle. The breeder went with a "double" theme, and Rachelle's mother was known as Seacrest Double Delight. Rachelle's father, Landmark Tuxedo Night, was named for formalwear. She also has an aunt called Little Black Dress.

Bill Ofshlag's bullmastiff, Jagger, might even be mistaken for his namesake. The creases on the massive dog's face bear a striking resemblance to that of the Rolling Stones frontman.